The Brandenburg Gate – symbolizing the reunification of a nation

One of the most famous monuments in Berlin is the Brandenburg Gate. This monument is located a few meters away from the downed Berlin Wall, a structure that not only in the city of Berlin, but also the world, divided people into opposing ideologies. There are still some areas up, and they now serve to symbolize the reunification of Germany.

From the Brandenburg Gate, we have Unter den Linden, the main boulevard of the city. This starts at the square on the east side of the Brandenburg Gate, where the art academy, the famous Adlon Hotel and the French Embassy are located. From the square it is 1.5 km east to the so-called Scholossbrücke (bridge) which connects the Museum Island in central East Berlin, where we can go to Alexanderplatz.

Alexanderplatz is located in the historic center of East Berlin, where the communist GDR government clearly has left its stamp on. Near the square is the television tower (Fernsehturm) of 368m high, almost from anywhere in the city can be admired. The tower was built in 1960 and has a panoramic restaurant swirling around and in the shape of a circle from which there is a wide panoramic view of the city.

Near Alexanderplatz is full of monuments and grand old buildings, squares and all sorts of shopping. Among these monuments are the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) and the Town Hall (Rotes Rathaus), the most notable thing is that both buildings have distinctive architecture. The Catholic cathedral in Berlin, dedicated to St. Hedwig, is somewhat further down the Unter den Lindenlaan just between the Opera House (one of three of the town), and the building known as the Kommode.

On the other side of town, in the heart of West Berlin, is the Potsdamer Platz, in the '20s one of the most popular places in all of Europe. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall the square was to become part of a huge construction project, where today many modern skyscrapers and shopping malls are located in the new area Berlin.

The Magic Fountain of Montjuic

The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is also known as Font de Montjuic is a giant fountain with a circular shape. It is approximately 12 m in diameter and can expel water at 4 feet high. This wonderful source has integrated several lights with changing colors and ambient music to create a show that is known around the world.

Was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1929 by Carles Buïgas in the place where they were located the Four Pillars of Josep Puig demolished in 1928. Construction work lasted less than a year.
The magic fountain is the main element of a set of plays of light and water that is developed around the axis from the "Palau Nacional" to the Plaza Espanya, including waterfalls and ponds and in the bottom rows of the columns on both sides of the avenue.

The show kicks off in beautiful fashion as we can see the water moving to the beat of the melodies that have transpired over the decades. We can see the shapes and colours that dance impressively to the music with a dance. At night it is also possible to see how this source moves to the sound of classical music.

 
There are two times in which you can see this fountain in action. During the winter season the fountain works on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 9. During the summer time we admire this magnificent show from 7 pm to 10 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Located on the Avenida Maria Cristina, to get there just take the metro L1 (red line) or L3 (green line) and get off at "Plaça Espanya". The fountain is difficult to go unnoticed so you need no further directions.

This is one of Barcelona's tourist attractions that is quite simply a must see.

Poble Espanyol – the whole of Spain in the centre of Barcelona

The Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol in Catalan) is an open-air museum which has an area of 42,000 m2, where there are many houses built to meet the main characteristics of the people of Spain at different times. Each house has a Spanish family coat of a great tradition.
It was built in 1929 for the International Exhibition which was to be held in the city.

Each of these houses is really a craft store various types, we can find crafts of glass, wood, paintings and jewelry of gold and silver.
Many of the houses where they sell glass handicrafts also have workshops, where demonstrations are carried out of how artists shape the glass, is truly special and unique. We can attend these workshops at no cost but if you prefer you can work with the artisans.

Another of the houses is a modern art museum, displaying the works of many local and international artists. This mini-museum has three floors and in 30 minutes you can see everything.

It is strange to see in a place where old buildings represents a system as modern as they have to give access to all people in wheelchairs.
Poble Espanyol also has many restaurants with terraces which are perfect for a beer, wine or water while enjoying a fabulous place.

One of the major tourist attractions of Barcelona and a visit here is really great to take a look at the history of Spanish architecture.
To reach the Poble Espanyol must take the metro L1 (red) or L3 (green) and get off at Plaza Espanya, after the street should follow Avenida del Marques de Comillas which crosses right in front of the Magic Fountain.

The barrio of Santa Cruz – bringing colour to Seville

The district of Santa Cruz is one of the oldest in the city and is located in the old part of Sevilla. Its history and beauty make it one of the most emblematic barrios.

People in Seville live in apartments very close to each other, which makes for an endless number of narrow streets that give visitors a precious shade that mitigates the summer sun in Seville, also known as the oven of Europe.

Simplicity is the main feature of the landscape of this neighbourhood and is the combination of brightly coloured houses with wrought balconies hung with flowers like bougainvillea, which makes this a pleasant place to be lost for hours.

Within the district there are some special attractions such as: the convent of the Teresas Hospice and venerable priest, although I am convinced that the main attraction is walking aimlessly through its colourful streets.
The tangled streets of the quarter often end in places where you can find historical monuments, terraces, bars and more. Here is a list of places to visit in the neighbourhood and what it was that I found in them.

Plaza de los Venerables: A square full of bars and terraces where you can take a break and spend some quiet moments with a beer and tasting some of the famous tapas from Seville.

Plaza de Santa Cruz: Has a locksmith cross dating from the seventeenth century monument is a very different and very Andalusian which is worth a visit.

 
Plaza de las Cruces: It is a small square where you will find three columns ending in crosses. It is not as spectacular as the Plaza de Santa Cruz, but it is a place that lends itself to taking photographs.

Plaza de Dona Elvira: A place where full of orange and adorned with the very traditional tiles, is a very colorful place with a central fountain where you can spend a few moments crying if they wish.

This neighborhood has a myriad of interesting places and each has things to admire, after visiting for the first time I wonder if they ever will know all its secrets.

Berlin Carnival 2010 – celebrating cultures since 1995

Berlin Carnival is a parade of carriages, each representing the cultural diversity of Berlin.

It was created to combat the prejudice of immigrants caused by the strong economic and social conflicts that arose in Berlin after the Wall fell.
While these conflicts occurred, the artistic and cultural life in Berlin grew and the carnival was born in 1995, aiming to celebrate the rich culture and promote art in the city.

Since then it has been widely accepted by the public and the media. Each year there are more viewers than its predecessor and even more and better carriages, representing any form of culture that is in Berlin.
In 2008 1.5 million visitors celebrated in the streets and the festival had 4500 professional and amateur actors of all ages, accompanied by 100 carriages of various shapes, sizes and colours.

This festival lasts four days, and anyone who wants to can participate in it to express their culture or identity.
It contains traditional and contemporary elements expressed in many ways like traditional clothes, dances, music, singing. And only in this great European metropolis can you see this magnificent gesture of acceptance and understanding for the cultures that are part of the city.
It is certainly one of the great events taking place in Berlin every year. It is a unique experience for a unique city in addition to being fun, creative and informative, helping us to understand how Berlin society has erased their prejudices through the years to become a multicultural society.

This year the carnival will begin on May 31 at 12:30 pm in "Hermannplatz" and all carriages will travel along the roads of "stressenumzug" and "hassenheide." The best place to look is in the the park known as "Volkspark hassenheide".

The 17th International Semi-Marathon of Nice

On your marks, get set, and let’s go because the 17th International Semi-Marathon of Nice is about to begin! Last year there were more than 7,600 runners representing 29 different countries and crowds of over 30 thousand spectators. It is simply a must see event!

There are big things expected from the 2008 race with an estimated 8 thousand participants, including a good percentage of foreigners, as every year amateur and professional runners from all over Europe join the International Semi Marathon in Nice!

During the 3 day-Marathon there will be organized other events organised such as shows, treasure hunts and numerous concerts…

The most important races are:
1. the famous 21.1 Km (a must).
2. The 10 km (alternative)

3. Free Races: - 2 Miles Défi Running Collège open to children from 9-15 years. -- 3 km race Nice Court Tout Contre le Cancer du Sein where part of the inscriptions funds will go to the association Résiste 06.

To subscribe to the races you can visit the website: http://www.nicesemimarathon.com

Registration may also be in place on 18 and 19 April (Saturday!). However, remember to bring proof that you’re fit as fiddle such as a medical certificate! There is a cash prize of 100 euros for the man who finishes the 21.1 km course in under 1h 09 and for the woman who crosses the line under 1h 29.
The start line will be on the famous Promenade des Anglais.

The route passes by some of the most beautiful areas of Nice: the old castle, the port, the beach of Angels, all the beautiful buildings, villas… A really interesting and unique way to discover Nice’s sights, without hanging around!

Berlin Jazz Festival – bringing the heart of Jazz to the German capital

For over forty years, Berlin has been the host of the November jazz festival. Berlin is recognized as the city festival of jazz because all the various and different styles of jazz represented. The full and varied program is also traditional and progressive and has in the past received particular attention focused on big band music.

The Berlin Jazz Festival has a long and beautiful history. It started in 1964 and is involved in presenting some very interesting concerts. The Berlin Jazz Festival has become more popular over the years and this is related by Mr. Joachim, who gained the nickname "Jazz Pope". The main reason why the Jazz Festival was more dynamic was because he introduced jazz musicians from around the globe to be brought onstage. As a result they created an undeniably special blend for the art form that is jazz.

The Berlin Jazz Festival takes place in a period of four days and its legacy at the same level, the Jazz Festival today still hold a special mix and blend of music combining jazz musicians from around the world. Besides the great American performances, the Jazz Festival in Berlin presents more and more artists from around the world. Artists whose music gives special attention to the man that crosses between local and global music traditions and trends.

This is an important aspect as this is the reason why the Jazz Festival attracts many people because his music sounds not only for jazz fans is intended. It is therefore recommended that all your accommodation in Berlin and plans in advance and time to settle so you can avoid unexpected inconveniences.

 
Today, the Berlin Jazz Festival regional priorities and put here as a result has gained more reputation and became known as the Forum of European jazz. In relation to the Berlin Jazz Festival structure, it includes performances from jazz to become intercultural mergers including a six-piece African drumming group. As we can see, the Berlin Jazz Festival itself extended to the musical tastes of his audience and to include the more reason that the Berlin Jazz Festival also will find fun even when you're not a jazz lover.

Hostels in Paris – to stay, or not to stay?

Do you have a small budget and want to visit Paris without breaking the bank? Staying in a hostel is certainly the most economic solution when travelling alone. If you bring a group of friends, I advise you to opt instead for an apartment in Paris, so you can take advantage of cheaper rates, and sleep in a much more peaceful and comfortable environment.
Hostels however are a great solution for young people wishing to spend a weekend in Paris.

The advantages of choosing the hostel:

· young and festive environment

· the breakfast is often included in the price

· Hostels often organize parties or events

· practice foreign languages

· easier to build relationships and friendships when you share the same room

The disadvantages of choosing a hostel:

· sometimes noisy, it all depends on with whom you share the room

· less comfort than an apartment of hotel

· sharing a room with other people can sometimes be embarrassing

In Paris, there is a large selection of hostels that you can find on websites such as http://www.parisinfo.com/hotels-paris/pour-les-jeunes/. These rooms are usually 3-15 beds, but some also offer double rooms at higher rates, but still cheaper than a hotel. Most of these hostels include bed linen and breakfast in the price, and have a common kitchen to cook a meal in the evening after a day of sightseeing.



In an international atmosphere, young and friendly with high security, staying in a hostel will certainly leave you full of memories to share when you return from your vacation.

The Rome Colosseum – A trip back in time

Everyone has heard about the famous Roman Colosseum that has inspired writers and filmmakers to capture on paper or film the gory stories of very famous fighters of this particular story.

The first time I saw the front of the colosseum was during the day and I must say that is extremely impressive. However, it is at night when this ancient building seems even more beautiful thanks to the many lights that illuminate every detail.

Just before beginning the tour, you can see a lot of people buying souvenirs or being photographed with gladiators (it is ironic that a couple of players try to create a comic in what has been one of the most bloody and cruel stories of all time.)

Passing the gates, you will find a huge queue to pay and start the tour, it can last more than 15 minutes but is certainly well worth it, because after the security check you can walk through the corridors which were once the symbol of the most powerful empire on earth.

Corridors, steps made of stone, and every detail of the Colosseum cannot hide his age. The atmosphere inside it is dark but it is also very interesting to walk around and look at the cages where the animals and gladiators would fight, many times the unfortunate gladiator being beaten.

The difference in ability between the Colosseum then and the current stage is very small. It could hold 50,000 Romans at a time. This is an impressive figure considering that 1900 years after its construction many stadiums do not have that capability.

A visit is really a journey through time. If you stop to look at the Colosseum in silence, I still think that it is possible to hear the cries of the crowd and feel the vibrations caused by the brandishing of swords before the battles began.

It is a very interesting tour and without it, a trip to Rome would not be complete. But after all the smiles from curious tourists, you should never forget the history that this building has and how it represents the darker side of a great empire.

The Arabic Royal Alcazares – an Arabic history in the centre of typical Spain

The word comes from Arabic Alcázares القصر to qasr, which means strength. Today the monuments resemble more a luxurious palace. When you admire their beauty for the first time it will not leave you in any doubt as to why it is still used as a royal residence.

Its importance and strategic location within the city has meant that great battles have been fought using the castles and they even played a key role in building up the legend, importance and history of this place.
Entering immediately I noticed the combination of elements from different nations and times in history, as the various tile images clearly illustrated in Spanish as a galleon or a lion with a crown framed by the beauty of Arabic letters engraved on many of the walls of the enclosure.

All of the rooms that make up the palaces are special and have unique shapes and forms of their own kind. However I think the most spectacular area is the courtyard of the maids, a rectangular courtyard with double arches on marble columns. Even the smallest detail is engraved in letters and figures which clearly allude to the time when the Arabs ruled the land.

It's really amazing to think that these luxurious palaces full of art were regarded as the royal houses of different empires and there is no doubt that the leader who was resting there could show off his wealth and power
The royal palaces are located in the city centre just opposite the cathedral and are very easy to get to, which means that it is a must do during a visit to Seville. When you plan your visit I recommend devoting at least three hours to visit this magnificent place.

The Imperial Palace – Uniting the past, present, and the future of Vienna

The Imperial Palace is the largest castle in the city and one of the major attractions. It is a complex building with plenty of historical significance, but also very important in the present, since one of them is the residence of the President of Austria.

Located in the old part of the city beside the Danube, Sissi houses the museum and the imperial halls, a church, the Austrian National Library and the president's home.

A visit to this palace is memorable and you should know that each of the rulers of the empire was commissioned to add their own touch to one of its buildings, thanks to that, this walk through the palace is like strolling through the history of this city.

When I went to Vienna I was not sure whether I would find an attraction like this in the city, the monuments colossal dimensions are worthy of admiration.

It is rather curious that the front of the building, despite being awesome, is quite austere and was built in an elegant and classic style, however this all changes once you get inside. The ceremonial hall in the palace or the national library are two buildings that are filled from top to bottom with murals, marble and gold sculptures in which the details are exquisite, illuminated by a dim light that highlights its elegance.

Walking around is like you have been transported back in time to an era of kings. These groups were dancing to the nobility of a continent for centuries, as they witnessed large banquets and represented the power of an empire. There are too many things to see and there are not enough words to describe them.

This palace is one of the best I've seen in Europe and is definitely something worth seeing.

Catalonia, a province, a nation, and an incredible cuisine

When you think of a trip to Catalonia do you think of Pan con tomate (bread with tomato) and cava? Catalonia has much more to offer. For example, did you know that the classic peanuts originated in Catalonia?

The cuisine was described for the first time in the twelfth century in a book, Llibre de Sent Sové, as “characterized by an excellent combination of sea and mountains”. Meat, sausage, rice mixed with fish and crustaceans create plenty of tasty and interesting combinations (chicken and lobster?). They often use different sauces, alli’oli (garlic mayonnaise), picada (peanuts, garlic, spices), romesco (peanuts, garlic, tomatoes, peppers and bread) and samfaina (onions, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, zucchini).

Want to know some of the typical Catalan dishes? Here is a list:
 
Arroz Negro. This is a famous and original dish from the Costa Brava. Inside there should be rice, cuttlefish and other seafood, onion, garlic and tomatoes seasoned with olive oil and squid ink that gives it the black colour.

Amanida Catalan. Mixed salad with vegetables and smoked meat, fish or crustaceans.

Graellada de marisc. Varied assortment of grilled seafood served with allioli.

Suquet. Famous seafood prepared with saffron, wine, tomatoes and potatoes.

Fideau. This is a more Catalan version of Paella. Spaghetti accompanied by red peppers, chop or pork tenderloin and sausage.

Botifarra amb mongets. Traditional Catalan dish with black sausage, broiled with white beans.

Esqueixada. Tasty dish with a salad of salted cod, onions and peppers.

Llagosta pollastre. Very typical of Catalonia and the least original combination of lobster with chicken in tomato sauce and hazelnuts.

Amb samfaina pullets. Roast chicken with samfaina (the sauce) and mixed vegetables.

Canelons a les Barcelonès. Baked cannelloni stuffed with chicken livers and pork, adored by the city of Barcelona.

Paella. Traditionally from Valencia, but also widely used in Barcelona and is usually made up of rice with seafood or meat.

For dessert there are two favourites in particular:
Crema Catalana. Egg and covered with a layer of caramel.
Coca de Sant Joan. Cake covered with pine nuts and candied fruit, usually served on the night of St. John

Sevilla – the home of Flamenco, the house of Tapas

Sevilla is world famous for two things: Flamenco and tapas. I know this will sound a little dated, and many people are upset because this beautiful city is often turned into a stereotype that is completely false as Seville is much more than these two things with all of its monuments, palaces, cathedrals, gardens and much more.

However, my intention is not to belittle this but talk about one aspect that has earned the recognition of thousands of tourists year after year. When I was in Seville I had the opportunity to see a flamenco show and it was unbelievable!

As I passed from one tapas bar to another I noticed that the offer was extremely varied. I was hoping to find some tapas, what was to me the most traditional, but I realized that such is the variety of tapas that the best thing to do was just try something different in each different place.
So during my three day visit, the city was based on two tours: the tourist, where I could enjoy all the architectural beauties of the city and the cuisine, where I tasted everything from fresh fish, typical calamares to a skewer of prawns with coconut. The latter was the reason for my return to the Andalusian capital – just incredible.

Unlike Barcelona or Madrid where you can find excellent tapas at high prices, many of the Sevilla tapas are free, and come to the table as you sip your Cruzcampo beer or any other beverage of your choice.
If you are really looking to try the best tapas in the world, you will certainly have to pay a very reasonable sum of money, but you will certainly get great value for money in this gem of a city – away from the high prices of Madrid and Barcelona.

Finally, I would advise that visiting this wonderful city is a “must do” experience and I am sure you will enjoy all its qualities, especially its tapas and flamenco.

Enjoy a slice of Pizza in Rome

Millions of tourists visit the Italian capital year after year to see its monuments, visit museums, go to bars and restaurants and even if you have time to shop. However, very few of them know how the Romans eat pizza.

So, here are the steps to eat pizza like a real Roman ...

First you must know where to eat pizza, Rome is full of luxurious restaurants packed with tourists, where prices are soaring. We will try to avoid this, so you should certainly head off the beaten track and down some smaller streets.

Once you have found the pizza, you must know that here you won’t find the well-known traditional circular pizza shape, as this pizza is cut into small rectangles. This is something unusual outside of Italy but very common in the Italian capital.

We know that to stay at these places for more than 15 minutes is not normal for a Roman, as the vast majority of them calling in for pizza eat it on the go, and just eat a slice or 2 to whet their appetite.

You should be ready to take a slice at one o'clock, because it is lunch time in Rome and of course, is when the pizza is coming out fresh from the ovens, so the flavour is better.

Be ready to face a crowd, since these small places fill up at one o'clock and 25 minutes later can be empty. So, if you want to find a hot Roman pizza you may need to fight for a place in the queue.

Once inside ask for two pizzas with different ingredients, variety is a lot so you must try to test different versions of the pizza, but to be honest with two pizzas is more than sufficient as they come in much larger slices than you will be used to.

Before eating the pizza, join the two pizzas as if they were a sandwich, and enjoy the pizza as does any other Roman. Two pizzas at a time will seem like a heavy plate and probably does not sound like something very attractive, but the taste is unbeatable.

Now when you are planning your trip to Rome do not forget to set aside a few hours to enjoy this unusual experience, a modern tradition that lets you take a taste of Rome everywhere you go.